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Santa Lucia, Saint of Light

Dec 14, 2014 | , , | 15 Comments


Santa Lucia
by Katherine Hyde
based on traditional Swedish lyrics


Night treads with heavy step
Round yard and hearth
Woods brood in darkness now
Sun’s gone from earth


But through the darkness comes, 
With brightness glowing, 
Saint of the heav’n-ly light, 
Our Savior showing


Maiden so sweet and fair, 
Bright candles in your hair, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia! 


Child of the holy light, 
Banish the dark of night, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

 

Night now goes great and mute
Silence rules all things
What is that murmuring
As of an angel’s wings


There on our threshold
White-robed and shining 
Comes she with bread to spare
Our need divining


Maiden so sweet and fair, 
Bright candles in your hair, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia! 


Child of the holy light, 
Banish the dark of night, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!


Darkness shall soon depart
From vale and mountain
She brings good new to us
Light like a fountain


Soon day shall rise anew
Daystar is coming
In skies of rosy hue
Salvation’s dawning


Maiden so sweet and fair, 
Bright candles in your hair, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia! 


Child of the holy light, 
Banish the dark of night, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!


A few links:
Dept. 56 Lucia Statue (found on ebay)


Santa Lucia, Ora Pro Nobis! 

Celebrating the O Antiphons :: The Golden Nights

Dec 12, 2014 | , , | 7 Comments

Photo from Christmas 2011 – Details about our O Antiphon House

Ever since our oldest children were very little, we have been implementing an old monastic custom in our home of providing special treats, representing each of the “O Antiphons,” on the days leading up to Christmas.  The O Antiphon Prayers begin on December 17th and end on the 23rd, which is the last Vespers of Advent, since the evening prayer on the 24th is the Vigil of Christmas.

The Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one – Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia – the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, “Tomorrow, I will come.” Therefore, the Lord Jesus, whose coming we have prepared for in Advent and whom we have addressed in these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us, “Tomorrow, I will come.” So the “O Antiphons” not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.

Each night, after our family rosary, we pray the O Antiphon for the day, sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel (which was inspired by this ancient tradition), and then give the children a special treat.  Some years it has been little gifts/activities for the family, some years it is all food related, and some years it is a mix of both.   You can see some of my past posts from 2007-2013 by scrolling through the archives and visiting Catholic Cuisine.

Our family just loves this little tradition. It is such a fun way to teach the children about these beautiful prayers of the church and also increase their excitement as Christmas gets closer!

Here is the list of this year’s treats for each O Antiphon:

.: December 17th :.
O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

Since the symbol for wisdom is a book, I usually choose a new Catholic Book for our family. In the past those books have included this illustrated book of saints, Around the Year: Once Upon a Time Saints, the beautiful A Catholic Child’s Picture Dictionary, Novena: The Power of Prayer, new children’s prayer books for Mass, and a craft kit to make Christmas Bookmarks.  

This year I choose this new Catholic Trivia game. I’m looking forward to playing it after dinner on December 17th! 

.: December 18th :.
O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!

We usually emphasize the word “house” in this Antiphon, and have made our Gingerbread Houses or Gingerbread Cookies on this night.  Now that we have two birthdays this week (and two birthday cakes to bake and decorate!) we usually wait until Christmas Eve, or sometime during the 12 Days of Christmas. We have given the kids this Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter, and one year I totally stretched it and choose the Little House on the Prairie DVD. We have also roasted marshmallows over a fire, drawing from the reference to “Moses in the burning bush.”

This year I purchased this cute 3-D Mini Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter made by Sweet Creations! I’m planning to wrap it up with some Christmas sprinkles. (I still need to pick them up at the craft store this weekend, but hopefully they will have this Gingerbread Boy Mix, Candy Canes, and Snowmen.) I’m also planning to buy a package of pre-made dough, to keep it as simple as possible, and let the children bake and decorate the cookies, while I bake and decorate a birthday cake! (I just hope the cookie cutter arrives on time, since I still haven’t gotten a notification that it has shipped… If it doesn’t arrive I might shop by the local kitchen store to pick up this pan instead. I came close to buying it the other day when the girls and I discovered an amazing kitchen store in a nearby town!)

.: December 19th :.
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.
Carrot Cake and Root Beer Floats
Speaking of that birthday cake, this year we are celebrating Bud’s birthday with a Farm/Barnyard theme. I think Carrot Cake and Root Beer Floats will make a yummy addition to the party and tie in the O Antiphon nicely! If I run out of time (or energy) I will pick up a Costco Carrot Cake, but I’m really hoping to decorate one for him myself as I usually do for the children’s birthdays… We’ll see! 🙂 
We also always purchase our Christmas Poinsettia Plants on this day. Other past treats and recipes have included: 12 Red Glitter Poinsettia Ornaments, Miracle of the Poinsettia, The Miracle of the First Poinsettia, baked Poinsettia Cupcakes, Hearty Beef Stew, and Old Fashioned Root Beer Drops.
.: December 20th :.

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.

Tickets (the Key) to A Christmas Carol at the Theatre!

Since this is initially a monastic tradition, and on this night, the monk in charge of the wine cellar would provide a special bottle of wine. We usually always serve a special drink with dinner. Sometimes I also serve a Key Lime Pie as well! One year I purchased a couple key hook rails from Target to use to hang our Rosaries, and another year we gave the children this Key Puzzle/Brainteaser!

This year, in addition to a special drink with dinner, the four oldest children will be given tickets (the key/admission) to see A Christmas Carol at the theatre!

.: December 21st :.
O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!

O Dayspring Christmas Candle

Our favorite tradition for this O Antiphon is to pile in the car after dinner with hot cocoa and drive around to look at all the Christmas lights. In the past we have also given the children this set of sun blocks, decorated our own house or tree with Christmas lights, enjoyed “O Dayspring Ice Cream,” and addd the Kurt Adler 10-Light Candle with Gold Dish Light Set to our Christmas Tree!

This year, in addition to driving to town to look at Christmas lights, since we didn’t have the chance to make it on the feast of St. Ambrose or the Immaculate Conception, we are going to decorate this year’s Christmas Candle using a tiny wax baby Jesus I purchased years ago along with Stockmar Gold Decorating Beeswax.

.: December 22nd :.
O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!

O King of the Gentiles Stained Glass Nativity Puzzle

One year I ordered one of the beautiful sets of Three Kings Gifts! Every Christmas the kids put together a Christmas Play for their Daddy & I, and these have been such an awesome addition original props! Other years we have made Crowns, added a “King” puppet to our puppet collection, baked a Crown Cake and/or Cookies, added the King of the Golden City CD to our collection, and assembled the Three Kings Puzzle.

This year we will begin working on this beautiful Stained Glass Nativity Puzzle which I mentioned in this year’s fun finds for Advent post. 

.: December 23rd :.

O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!


Oplatki Wafers 

In the past the children have been given special Holy Cards or Coloring Books, including the beautiful Eucharistic Adoration: With Saints And Symbols Of The Eucharist Coloring book, this 500-Piece Stained Glass Jigsaw Puzzle, added various Children’s Nativity Sets to our collection, made a Chocolate Nativity Scene, and received the Holy Family Puzzle with a lovely embroidered Mass bag from Catholic Embroidery.

This year we are going to introduce our children to the Polish tradition of Oplatki Wafers! On Christmas Eve the Polish people celebrate a traditional vigil supper called “Wigilia” which means “to await”. The children of the family look for the appearance of the first star at dusk and then to begin the meal members of the family break up pieces of Oplatki and give them to each other with a blessing. Then the actual supper begins. (Read more at Aquinas and More.)

I ended up ordering this set from Aquinas and More and this set (with greeting cards to give to extended family) from the large selection of Oplatki Wafers over at Amazon.

For a simple treat for each day, here is the link to my printable in the archives for O Antiphon Chocolate Coins!

Instagram Recap

Dec 10, 2014 | , , , , | 18 Comments

I have so much I’d love to blog about but right now I only have a few minutes to spare so I thought I’d pop in real quick with another Instagram Recap! As soon as my kiddos finish up their school work for today we are going to start making some little rosaries to send to children in an orphanage in Nigeria for Christmas. ❤  I hope you are all having a blessed Advent! 
December 1st:

 

We just finished reading about Saint Eloi whose (historical) feast is celebrated today. He is the patron of metalworkers and jewelers. St. Eloi, pray for us!

December 3rd:
As much as our little guy loves his wooden saint dolls, when it comes to nap time he has to have his Saints n’ Stitches Pillow that his Godmother made him last Easter! For a limited time Charlotte is offering the KITS in her Etsy shop, Waltzing Matilda Makes… They’d make great stocking stuffers! You can find the link in my most recent post on the blog. She also has two pre-made dolls available, but isn’t accepting any custom orders at this time.

December 4th:


At the theatre with my little sis and a couple of my girls… Fiddler on the Roof is about to start!
The girls with Tzeitel! #meetingthecast #fiddlerontheroof #previewnight #somuchfun

December 6th:

After a fun morning at home, complete with treats from St. Nicholas on his feast day today, the boys just won their Hockey game for the first time this season! It ended up at 12 to 11, and they scored two-thirds of all the goals for their team! Our oldest scored six goals, our second scored two, and the youngest playing didn’t score any since “Nobody was passing me the puck!!!” (lol they were) It was also the first game I was able to go watch this year… They said “Mom needs to come to every game!” Happy St. Nick Day!

Touring the historic Catholic Rectory built in 1861! #catholic #victorianchristmas


@thesideoflove tagged me for #widn It’s after 10 and we are at our parish hall following the Quinceañera Mass for one of my past Little Flowers! The tamale dinner was amazing and our little ones (especially the two year old in the background!) are loving the cake pops! The party is just getting started but it’s almost time for us to head home… It’s been a FULL day and this mama is tired! 
December 7th:

Exploring downtown with their Daddy after attending a Christmas Concert!  (They really enjoyed watching their piano teacher sing!) 


 
Nutcracker Soldiers! They had such a fun night! #daddydatesarethebest

December 8th:

 

On our way to find this year’s Christmas Tree!

Enjoying the gorgeous sunset on our drive home from the woods with our Christmas Tree!

 

The next time we decide to buy a $5 permit and go cut down our own Christmas tree, we need to make sure we take along a tape measure!!! Our beautiful 11 FOOT tree didn’t look nearly as tall out there in the woods! #rearrangeallthefurniture

It’s a little early for us to go get our tree, but remember last year?! 🙂  The tree is all set up, but we haven’t decorated it yet. We are going to add the lights Friday night to turn on the next morning for Santa Lucia Day (Lucy means light!) and then add all our ornaments and decorations on Gaudete Sunday!


The older kids are really enjoying their literature study of A Christmas Carol! Last week they all wrote biographies on Charles Dickens and started studying some of the vocabulary. Today we discussed the characteristics of a narrative story, inferences, the setting, characters, and they started rewriting a scene from the story in their own words. They are excited to be working on a Lap Book again!

For all those who have asked: We are using most of this Lap Book. It’s pretty extensive. I’m not sure if we will be able to finish it before we go see the play on the 20th with everything else that has been going on plus two birthdays next week, but at least we’ve gotten started. I’m also reading the story aloud, we’ve listened to the audible version, and we are also incorporating this new picture book about about The Story Behind A Christmas Carol.

Preparing for Christmas :: Seven Fun Finds for Advent

Dec 5, 2014 | , , | 4 Comments

Advent has arrived and the Christmas countdown has begun! This past Sunday, in addition to celebrating the feast of St. Andrew, we lit the first candle on our Advent Wreath, drew names for our Christkindl, read The Beautiful World (chapter one of Read-Aloud Book of Bible Stories) for our Jesse Tree, and unwrapped our first book after our family Rosary and Christmas Novena. I love the season of Advent and preparing our hearts for Christmas! 

Christkindl Angel Ornament
I also love sharing some of my “Fun Finds for Advent” each year. Here is my list for 2014 in Seven Quick Takes:

#1: New Advent Wreath and Candles 

Enesco Pillars Advent Wreath 5-piece Set and 100% Beeswax Taper Candles
(pictured on this Heritage Lace Silent Night Runner)

I’ve been admiring this beautiful wreath for a couple years now and purchased it during a great sale last month after discovering the lovely 100% Beeswax Taper Candles made by the Cloister Shoppe. We will still have our usual large Advent Wreath in our family room, but this has been a nice addition to our dinner table. My only complaint is that it’s a little small, but that could be just because our dinner table with a family of nine is so huge! 😉  Someday I would love to have a hanging Advent Wreath above our table, but for now this has been a lovely addition to Advent in our “Domestic Church.”  

#2: St. Nick’s Goat Milk Soap

Speaking of the beautiful new Advent Candles, I also purchased the St. Nick’s Goat Milk Soap from the creative sisters at the Cloister Shoppe. It will be a great addition to our home for the rest of the Advent and Christmas season, following the feast of St. Nicholas.  I also ordered a couple books that I’m looking forward to giving our children in their Stacks of Books on Christmas morning.

#3: Advent Adventure Activity Books
From Instagram: On our way to Mass on the First Sunday of Advent! I have some #AdventAdventure brochures to hand out to other families, our new Advent candles to be blessed, and we just finished going over the Mass Quiz in the children’s Advent Adventure Activity Books. I love #Advent

#4: Advent Calendars

Since Advent began on November 30th this year, on the official “Day 1” we unwrapped and set up all our Advent Calendars, our original favorites and some new ones as well. 

I wasn’t going to do the toy Advent Calendars again this year, but our children had so much fun with them last year that I couldn’t resist… This year we have four, one for each bedroom.  I already had last year’s Lego City Advent Calendar (for the younger boys to share) and I ordered the new 2014 LEGO City Calendar for the older boys and Friends Calendar for the older girls.  (NOTE: The best time to purchase these is during a Buy-one-Get-one-50% off sale at Barnes and Noble sometime before Thanksgiving with the extra member discount, which brings them down to about $20 each from $29.99.) 

Lego Friends Advent Calendar, Lego City Advent Calendar (2013), and Lego City Advent Calendar (2014) – all way overpriced at the moment… These always sell out quickly each year.
I really wanted to order this Schleich Christmas on the Farm Calendar for Bud (I’m considering a Barn/Farm themed Birthday for him this year) but it seemed overpriced for what is included… 
I was a little skeptical when I placed an order for the new Playmobil “Santa’s Workshop” Advent Calendar for Rose, but I LOVE IT!!!!  
Look at that!  It even has a HANGING ADVENT WREATH!  Go buy it now for next year! 😉  You could even swap out Santa for St. Nick! 
Rose has been having so much fun opening a new box each morning and discovering the little toys to add to her scene.  
I also ordered the Playmobil Christmas Room and Nativity Scene to give to Rose for her birthday.  (These have also increased in price since I placed my order…) Once again it was the beautiful Advent Wreath, as well as the sweet little nativity and traditional candles on the tree, that made me want to add these sets to our collection. 

#5: New Family Puzzle

Our family really loves to assemble puzzles during Advent!   In 2010 we assembled the Our Lady of Guadalupe Puzzle. In 2011 the kids loved The Nativity in the Woods Puzzle, followed by the gorgeous Holy Family Jigsaw Puzzle and the They Come Bearing Gifts Puzzle for Epiphany. In 2012 we assembled the beautiful Glorious Nativity 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle and this lovely stained glass puzzle.  Last year we assembled “The Invitiation” – a gorgeous Noah’s Ark themed 1,000 piece puzzle and also assembled this lovely 12 Days of Christmas Puzzle during the 12 days of Christmas.

This year I was excited to discover this beautiful new Stained Glass Nativity 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle! Isn’t it gorgeous?! I will probably wrap it up as the special treat for the “O Emmanuel” Antiphon.   I also have this Christmas Angel puzzle that I purchased last year that I hope to assemble with the children as well, just as soon as our Christmas break from school begins.

#6: Saint Blessing Blocks

Charlotte emailed me the link to this brand new Etsy shop! I’ve made my own Saint Blocks in the past and they were a lot of work… These little blocks are reasonably priced at just $5 each!  I placed an order for the Deluxe Nativity (birthday gift for Bud), the December Feasts Saint Blocks, and 5 additional Catholic Saint Blocks. There were additional saints that I would have loved to add to my order, but those will have to wait until Easter.

UPDATED with new photo: These weren’t suppose to arrive until tomorrow afternoon, but the mailman just dropped them off! St. Nicholas must have helped get them here in time for his feast tomorrow! 🙂 

Speaking of Saint toys, Last year I shared the Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Nicholas Collectible Vinyl Figure from Shining Light Dolls… It looks like they have a couple new dolls available including St. Patrick and Our Lady of Fatima. 
Also, be sure to keep an eye on Charlotte’s Etsy shop. She sold out of Saints n’ Stitches Kits pretty quickly the other day, but she might list more on Monday. 

#7: Gift Ideas

I posted about Christmas in Harvard Square when it was first released in October, but wanted to remind you all again that it would make a lovely Christmas gift!

I also wanted to mention Treasure and Tradition for anyone out there who would like to learn more about the Latin Mass. It is a gorgeous new book from St. Augustine Academy Press and I’m looking forward to reading my review copy! 

You can find my past “Fun Finds For Advent” in the archives:  

Feasts & Seasons :: Our December Book Basket

Dec 4, 2014 | , , , | 0 Comments

At the beginning of each month I fill a basket with books featuring the the various saints whose feast days will be celebrated during the month and place it in the living room. Throughout the month I will find the children curled up on the couch reading books they have chosen from the basket, either on their own or to their younger siblings.  I also choose books from the basket for some of our afternoon family read-alouds. Our collection started very small and we have continued adding additional books over the years which we have either purchased or have been given as gifts. Some are picture books, some are chapter books, and some are collections of saint stories. This post is a work in progress and I will continue adding links as I sort through our collection.

Advent & Christmas:

December 1st, St. Edmund Campion (Hist.):

December 1st, St. Eligius (Hist.):

December 2nd, St. Bibiana (Trad.):

December 3rd, St. Francis Xavier (New, Trad.):

December 4th, St. Peter Chrysologus (Trad.) (New – July 30th):

December 4th, St. Barbara (Trad.):

December 5th, St. Sabas (Trad.):

December 6th, St. Nicholas (New, Trad.):

December 7th, St. Ambrose (New, Trad.)

December 8th, The Immaculate Conception (New, Trad.)

December 9th, St. Peter Fourier:

December 9th, St. Juan Diego (New):

December 10th, St. John Roberts:

December 10th , Our Lady of Loreto (Hist.):

December 11th, Bl. Franco Grotti:

December 12th, Our Lady of Guadalupe (New, Trad./some places):

December 12th, St. Finnian:

December 13th, St. Lucy (New, Trad.):

December 13th, St. Odilia (Hist.):

December 14th, St. Spiridion:

December 14th, St. John of the Cross (New) (Trad. – Nov. 24th):

December 15th, St. Nino (Hist.):

December 16th, St. Adelaide (Hist.):

December 16th, Los Posadas:

December 17th, Pope Francis’ Birthday:

December 17th, St. Olympias (Hist.):

December 18th, St. Flannan:

December 19th, Bl. Urban the V (Hist.):

December 20th, St. Dominic of Silos (Hist.):

December 21st, St. Thomas, Apostle (Trad.) (New – July 3rd ):

December 22nd, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Trad./some places) (New – Nov.13th):

December 23rd, St. Servulus (Hist.):

December 24th, Bl. Paula Ceriolo:

December 25th, Christmas, The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ (New, Trad.):

December 26th, St. Stephen (New, Trad.):

December 27th, St. John the Evangelist (New, Trad.):

December 28th, The Holy Innocents (New, Trad.):

December 29th, St. Thomas Becket (New, Trad.):

December 29th, St. David the King (Hist.):

December 30th, St. Anysius (Hist.):

December 31st, St. Melania:

Other Links for December:

Saints n’ Stitches

Dec 3, 2014 | , | 1 Comment

Back in October I shared a couple pictures and mentioned that our older girls have been enjoying learning how to embroider using the Saints n’ Stitches kits they received in their Easter Baskets earlier this year.  (You can see a couple pictures of our youngest two with their completed dolls on Easter morning. They still love their precious saint dolls!)  These sweet little kits or the completed dolls would also make perfect stocking stuffers! 

Charlotte is offering the kits once again for a LIMITED TIME!!! 

Click over to Waltzing Matilda Makes to place an order! 


Celebrating the Saints :: St. Andrew the Apostle

Dec 2, 2014 | , , , , | 16 Comments

The Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle is celebrated on November 30th. The beginning of Advent is alway determined by St. Andrew’s Day. The Sunday nearest to his feast is always the First Sunday in Advent. If November 30th falls on a Monday through Wednesday, Advent begins the Sunday preceding; if it falls on Thursday through Saturday Advent begins the Sunday following. This year the feast of St. Andrew happened to fall ON the First Sunday of Advent.

St. Andrew is a patron saint of one of our boys and we had so much fun celebrating his feast day in addition to our usual First Sunday of Advent family activities, stories, and prayers. 

.: STORY TIME :.

Andrew the Apostle by S.E. Danielski

Additional Stories can be found in the following books:
The Apostles of Jesus by Father Lovasik (not pictured)
The Twelve Apostles by Marianna Mayer

.: COLORING PAGES :. 

(Note: Now is the perfect time to order paper dolls for the upcoming feasts of St. Nicholas and St. Lucy!) 

.: CRAFT – ADVENT CANDLES :. 

The beginning of Advent is alway determined by St. Andrew’s Day so I decided to have the children roll 100% Beeswax Advent Candles using this lovely Advent Candle Kit. It is one of our Advent & Christmas Favorites from Holy Heroes!

Like the candles we’ve rolled in the past, these were so simple to make, even the little ones were able to help with a little supervision.

 

.: SNACKS :. 

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4: 18-20

.: CATHOLIC CUISINE :. 

Andreasherzen 
(St. Andrew’s Hearts)
Breakfast for dinner… Yum!!! 


I adapted a recipe from Cooking with the Saints and baked them in this Traditional Heart Waffle Maker. They turned out amazing! We won’t be waiting a year to make them again… As soon as I have a chance to share the recipe at Catholic Cuisine, I’ll update this post with the link.

+ A Few More Links + 
.: PRAYER – ST. ANDREW CHRISTMAS NOVENA  :. 

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

 St. Andrew the Apostle, Ora Pro Nobis! 

Our 2014 Advent Book Basket and Printable Labels

Nov 30, 2014 | , , , , , , | 22 Comments


I finally gave up looking for purple wrapping paper and wrapped all the books for our Advent Book Basket in brown paper since I had plenty… It’s the first year I haven’t been able to find the purple paper locally and I couldn’t bring myself to order it online… I ended up making little tags for each and am loving how they are turning out! Almost done, just in time for‪ Advent.


If you’d like to use them too, you can download my Advent Book Basket Labels for 2014 here.
This year the books in our basket are a mix of some of the children’s 35 Favorite Christmas Picture Books with a few new ones mixed in to surprise them… We’ll unwrap and read one book each night following our family rosary. The rest of our Advent & Christmas book collection is in additional baskets for the children to read whenever they’d like.  The children will also each receive a new Christmas picture book on the feast of St. Nicholas. You can find this year’s picks here. 
Here are the 25 picture books that ended up in our 2014 Advent Book Basket:
November 30 – 1st Sunday of Advent: Waiting for Christmas: A Story About the Advent Calendar*
December 1: The Christmas Cobwebs*
December 5: The Miracle of Saint Nicholas (study guide in Catholic Mosaic)
December 6 – St. Nicholas: St. Nicholas: The Legend of St. Nicholas (NEW) GREAT new book for the feast! 
December 7 – 2nd Sunday of Advent: The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree (NEW) details here
December 8 – Immaculate Conception: Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree
December 9 – St. Juan Diego: The First Christmas Stocking*
December 10 – Our Lady of Loreto: A Small Miracle* 
December 11 – Our Lady Queen of the Angels: The Donkey’s Dream
December 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe: Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 13 – Santa Lucia Day: Nutcracker  (NEW) Purchased on clearance last January. I also hope to take the girls to see the performance on either the 13th or 14th. 
December 14 – 3rd Sunday of Advent/Gaudete Sunday: Bambinelli Sunday: A Christmas Blessing
December 15 – Rose’s Birthday: The Legend of the Christmas Rose 
December 16: Katie’s London Christmas (NEW) Love all the Katie Books and look forward to reading this one too. They have been a great addition to our art course. 
December 17 – O Sapientia: Christmas at Stony Creek
December 18 – O Adonai: The Doll’s Christmas
December 19 – O Radix Jesse – Bud’s Birthday: Christmas in the Barn
December 20 – O Clavis David:  A Christmas Carol: A Pop-Up Book (NEW) This will wrap up our December Christmas Carol Literature Unit Study and we’ll be going to see the performance at a local theater. 
December 21 – O Oriens: One Christmas Dawn*
December 22 – O Rex Gentium: Christmas in the Trenches
December 23 – O Emmanual: Bethlehem 
December 24 – Vigil of Christmas: The Night Before Christmas (NEW) So excited to see this book back in print this year. It’s the version I remember from my own childhood.

* = Study Guide Available in Christmas Mosaic

I also purchased A Tree for Peter (and pre-ordered The Chestry Oak for Snuggles’ Easter Basket). I’ve had these book on my wish list for years and had been unable to find a reasonably priced secondhand copy. I’m so excited to see that it was re-released last week! It will end up in one of the children’s Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning. 
I hope you all have a blessed First Sunday of Advent! 

Instagram Recap

Nov 30, 2014 | , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

It’s time for another Instagram Recap in Seven Quick Takes. It was a very full week complete with special feast days, anniversaries, and Thanksgiving… My husband and five oldest are off watching the “Civil War” Football Game with friends and I’m home with the two little ones wrapping up some last minute Advent Preparations. Happy {Liturgical} New Year’s Eve!

— 1 :: Thanksgiving —


November 26: We’re enjoying a yummy turkey dinner (yay for leftovers!!) and movie night at home with just our children and looking forward to seeing many of my siblings at my parents tomorrow afternoon! I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!


November 27: Happy Thanksgiving! ‪#‎cinnamonrollturkeysforbreakfast‬  #‎madewithturkeybaconofcourse‬ ‪#‎thekidsgobbledthemup‬ #inspiredbypillsbury


November 26: Almost ready!

November 29: Our five oldest had so much fun ice skating yesterday afternoon with their dad and some of their aunts and uncles! I’m so glad Sean sent me a picture!

— 2 :: Ora Pro Nobis Boxes —


One thing I’ve learned this month is that some of my kids have incredible self-control… I just peeked inside their “Ora Pro Nobis Candy Boxes” and was amazed that they (other than the two year old who is now down to five pieces) still have so much candy inside their boxes even though they have been saying their prayers for various souls each day! (The boxes originally contained one piece of candy for each day of the month. They could choose to take it out after praying for someone who has passed away or leave it there as an extra sacrifice for that person’s soul.) My oldest son hasn’t even taken one piece of candy out of his box. I’m impressed.

(As I type this post I hear the four year old helping the two year old say the St. Gertrude prayer, just because. LOVE.) 

— 3 :: St. Catherine of Alexandria —


November 25: Happy Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria!

Heart cake baked in this pan and The Story of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.  Right now you can purchase this book, and ALL other books published by TAN Books at 40% off or more with coupon code BLK2014.

— 4 :: Remembering —

  

November 24: My beautiful “Christmas Rose” – she was a special gift from God (due on Christmas Day 2009, after praying the Christmas Rose novena in December of 2008) shortly after I miscarried Gabriel. November 24th and 25th are special days for a couple of my little ones in heaven and we’ll be visiting their graves at the cemetery either today or tomorrow. I know God has a plan but no matter how many years pass the tears always return on these two days… Could you please say a little prayer for our family?



November 25: One of my favorite moments yesterday was when this little guy asked if he could leave the stickers he was just given at Trader Joe’s as a birthday gift for his little brother. After placing them on the headstone he stood up and said “God BLESS him!”

From the archives: Love’s Delay  (I didn’t realize until re-reading this post today that I miscarried Anthony this year on the anniversary of Gabriel’s original due date. ♥) 

— 5 :: Orthanc Tower Isengard —

November 23: They started this 3-D puzzle of Orthanc last night and have been working on it all day, after getting home from Mass… They say that it’s super hard but it looks like they are making some progress!

They completed it the next morning and I need to post a picture. It turned out great!

— 6 :: Christ the King —

November 23rd – Happy Feast of Christ the King!

Our family celebrated with a Persimmon Cake baked in a Crown Cake Pan. 
— 7 :: Cranberry Thanksgiving —

November 22: They asked if they could make Cranberry Bread again, since the last piece was eaten this morning. I told them to go ahead, even though I couldn’t help at the moment and their big sister wasn’t home yet… I was so impressed when I walked into the kitchen and snapped this picture. Then I realized that they had a tablespoon sitting next to the bowl instead of a teaspoon. Oops! I guess we’ll be modifying the recipe and making a triple batch! #CranberryThanksgiving

Triple batch of “Grandmother’s Famous Cranberry Bread” coming up… #CranberryThanksgiving

I need to pick up some more cranberries. I’m sure they will be asking to make Maggie’s favorite cranberry cookies next! 

Bargain Priced Books :: The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree & Little House 9-Book Box Set

Nov 29, 2014 | | 6 Comments

One of the new additions to our Advent & Christmas book collection this year, after having it recommended many times in the past, is The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree.

I purchased a secondhand copy of the hardcover edition earlier this year, but right now you can purchase the paperback at 42% off!

Amazon is also currently offering an extra 30% Off Any Book (up to $10) with promo code HOLIDAY30 at checkout.

My girls have been reading my old collection of Little House on the Prairie Books once again and they are literally falling apart. I used my code to save an additional $10 on a new Little House 9-Book Box Set (which is currently 44% off!) bringing the final cost down to just $2.84 per book!


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-24, Ranger-22, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-19, Snuggles-17, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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Prayer of Mothers

Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-24, Ranger-22, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-19, Snuggles-17, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

Please Visit My Sponsors…

This Week's Popular Posts

Shower of Roses Affiliate Links

All About Spelling
All About Reading
All About Reading Pre-reading
All About Reading Giveaways
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our Advent & Christmas Books

Shower of Roses Christmas Gift Guides

Looking for Something?

looking-back

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Posts About:

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All Saints Party Printables

All original photographs and written material are ©2007-2025 Shower of Roses. I'd love for you to link back to me, but please do not copy or take content from this blog without permission. Click here for my Copyright Terms & Conditions. Thank you for visiting!